Creative Mindfulness

Hello dear friends!

We’ve shifted gears this week—from bones to creativity. One of the beautiful things about yoga is that it’s spacious enough to hold all of these explorations.

Last week, we played with creative flow—tuning into movement, breath, and thought as a fluid dance. This week, we turn our attention to mindfulness.

So, how does mindfulness support creativity? It invites us to adopt a beginner’s mind, staying open and curious. It helps to lower stress levels, allowing inspiration to arise naturally rather than forcing it. When we’re present and grounded, fresh ideas have space to emerge.

Mindfulness also builds resilience, training us to shift into problem-solving mode when life throws us challenges. Instead of feeling stuck, we find new, creative ways to move forward.

Of course, we’ll explore this on the mat—but here’s a simple mindfulness practice to try off the mat, inspired by How to Train a Wild Elephant by Jan Chozen Bays, MD. It’s called “Mindfulness of Doors.”

Each time you pass through a doorway, pause—just for a second. Take one mindful breath before stepping into the next space. Notice any shift in energy, temperature, or sensation as you move from one environment to another.

It sounds easy, but it is quite challenging! As Bays reminds us, we’re often so focused on where we’re going that we miss the transition itself. These small pauses can be powerful invitations to presence.

Give it a try and let me know what you learn!

Love & mindfulness,

Nina G